Comments | bobquasit: Advice, please

bobquasit

Advice, please - new computer

Mar 11, 2008 16:05

Okay. I've got my bonus, and my computer's hard drive seems to be getting unreliable. Plus the sound card and DVD-ROM are shot, and the CD burner is getting quite iffy. So it would seem that it's time to get a new computer, while I can ( Read more... )

computer, advice

Comments 9

zarhooie March 11 2008, 23:20:14 UTC

I like Best Buy because their extended warranty is absolutely fantastic. I love it.

oldwolf March 12 2008, 00:31:24 UTC

1. That's more software than hardware. Nero is what I use. I'll send you a copy. It'll even make .ISO's of whatever you have.

2. Again software, in that you need to hit record. XP has recording software built in.

3. Oblivian can play on any DirectX 9 system. If you're looking for DirectX 10, the only way it comes is as a part of Windows Vista.

Imho, at least 2Ghz or higher. nVidia GeForce 8 or higher video card(s). Creative/Soundblaster sound or better.(AND good speakers!) And 2GB of ram.(I can't say enough abour ram having started at 512mb, then 1GB, then 2GB. More is better!)

The Sempron cpu's have smaller L-1 and L-2 caches than the Athlon cpu's have. In some cases, as much as 1/4 that of an Athlon. You will see a performance difference. The Sempron is still a single core cpu I believe???

Hardware is all card-in-slot design nowadays. So you shouldn't have any trouble building one of today's systems.

PC's For Dummies at B&N should be a wonderful primer for you.

bobquasit March 13 2008, 18:00:32 UTC

1. Don't I need a TV card in order to be able to convert VHS tapes into DVDs (and AVIs, for that matter)? I have an old version of Nero, but it's corrupted. Between you and me, I do know how to use BitTorrent to get newer versions - although I know that most posted software is more infected than Elliot Spritzer's schlong (badaBOOM, thankyew, I'll be here all week!). Several of the new systems I'm looking at include Nero, though.

2. The problem with converting LPs and audio tapes is that I've NEVER had a sound card that could get a decent signal off of one of them. I may be doing something wrong. Although my current sound card is definitely a broken-down piece of crap.

3. Everything I've heard about Vista is bad. Have you heard otherwise? Is there some reason I should want a DirectX10 system?

I think the Sempron is single-core, yeah. I decided to go with the Athlon dual-core, actually. Although I'm still open to suggestions!

oldwolf March 13 2008, 19:56:56 UTC

1. Yeah, Hauppage makes excellent cards. (I'm thinking of getting their 250 card for myself) You need a "TV in port" Most, if not all, video cards only have an out port.

2. Prolly??? It wasn't until I adjusted and fiddled with my sound card and a mic, that I was able to get any decent sound.

3. DirectX 10 is needed for some of the newer games. But most of the gaming Co's are still coding for DX-9(DirectX 9.0c aka directx_mar2008_redist.exe), which can be downloaded here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=740AC79A-5B72-447D-84F9-EE6407ED1A91&displaylang=en

Good. No, yer headed down the right path. No system is the same as it'ssuppose to fit what the individual is going to be using it for. What will be your systems uses and main use???

oldwolf March 12 2008, 05:02:37 UTC

(after reviewing) I'd go with the Athlon X2. The Phenom is still having troubles proving itself.

oldwolf March 12 2008, 05:09:47 UTC

(after further review) OMFG! They're using MSI motherboards. They're nice! *sarcasm* as paving slabs.

Generic ram, generic P/S, MSI nVidia GeForce 8800GT OC 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express is good. XP Pro 32bit.

The one real trouble I see is the case. Cases that small have problems with air flow. Airflow = cooling. If, if... you can get a mid or full tower, get it.

oldwolf March 12 2008, 22:30:47 UTC

Just wondering if you've seen these or not?

http://www.pricewatch.com/barebones_computers/

bobquasit March 13 2008, 18:02:22 UTC

I hadn't. I have to admit that buying online from companies I don't know makes me very nervous, though. I always seem to have SOME hardware problems with every system I buy, so good support is really important to me.

oldwolf March 13 2008, 19:50:05 UTC

Or knowing a bunch of geeks that will gladly work on your system for all the pizza they can eat.

I've been in this field for years. And I'm a firm believer in Name Brands, as I've seen tons of off-brand junk in the market.

AMD has a sub-site recc' motherboard list for it's cpu's. It's where I've found legitimate companies like Asus, Crative, Plextor, Seagate, Western Digital, and the like.

Another marker I've found for legitimacy is 800 numbers for tech support, sales & the like, if they aren't there, look elsewhere.